The main settlement in the valley is the small village of Sary-Tash. The few Kyrgyzstan silk road families that live in the village earn a living by raising sheep, horses, and yaks.
Wildlife in the valley includes snowcocks, foxes, mountain goats, bears, and marmots. Anglers can try their hand at some fishing for some Amudarya River Trout in the valley river against the beautiful backdrop of the Alay Mountains.